What NFL+ Gives You
NFL+ is a streaming service run by the National Football League that lets you watch live regular-season and playoff games on your phone, tablet, or computer. You can also watch NFL Network programming, replays of past games, and original shows produced by the league. The service does not include Super Bowl broadcasts or Thursday Night Football games, which air on other networks.
The subscription comes in two tiers: a standard plan and a premium plan. The standard plan costs less but has limits on what you can watch and when. The premium plan costs more and removes those limits. Both plans require you to have an internet connection and a compatible device.
Key Takeaways
- NFL+ streams live regular-season and playoff games to phones, tablets, and computers, but not to traditional TV sets without additional equipment.
- The standard plan is cheaper but blacks out local and national broadcasts in your area; the premium plan removes blackout restrictions.
- You can watch replays of any game from the current season and access NFL Network shows and original documentaries on both plans.
- NFL+ does not include the Super Bowl, Thursday Night Football, or Monday Night Football, which broadcast on other networks.
- You sign up through the NFL's website or through the official NFL+ app, and you can cancel your subscription at any time.
Standard Plan vs. Premium Plan
The standard plan is the lower-cost option. It lets you watch live games on your phone or tablet, but not on a computer or web browser. It also includes blackout restrictions: if a game is being broadcast on local or national television in your area, you cannot watch it live on NFL+. You can watch replays of blacked-out games the day after they air. NFL Network programming and original shows are available on the standard plan without blackout limits.
The premium plan removes the blackout restrictions, so you can watch every live regular-season and playoff game regardless of what is on television in your area. It also lets you stream to computers and web browsers, not just phones and tablets. The premium plan costs more per month or per year than the standard plan. Both plans renew automatically unless you cancel.
Neither plan includes access to games on ESPN, ABC, CBS, Fox, or other broadcast networks. If a game airs on one of those channels, you need to watch it there or through that network's own streaming service. The NFL publishes a schedule showing which games appear on which networks and which are available on NFL+.
How to Sign Up and Start Watching
You can sign up for NFL+ through the official NFL+ website or by downloading the NFL+ app on your phone or tablet. On the website, click the button to start your subscription, choose your plan (standard or premium), and enter your payment information. The site accepts major credit cards and debit cards. You will receive a confirmation email with your account details.
If you sign up through the app, the process is similar: select your plan, enter your payment method, and confirm. Your subscription begins when ready, and you can start watching right away. You do not need to create a separate username — you can log in with your email address and password.
If you already have an NFL.com account or an account with another NFL service, you may be able to use that login. Check the sign-up page to see if your existing account is recognized. If you have trouble logging in or creating an account, the NFL+ support page has troubleshooting steps and a contact form.
What Devices Work With NFL+
NFL+ works on most phones and tablets running iOS or Android. On the standard plan, you can only watch through the NFL+ app on these devices. On the premium plan, you can also watch through a web browser on a computer (Windows or Mac) by going to nflplus.nfl.com and logging in.
NFL+ does not work on traditional television sets or streaming devices like Roku, Apple TV, or Amazon Fire TV. If you want to watch on your TV, you would need to use screen mirroring or casting from your phone or tablet to a compatible TV, though this may not work smoothly for all devices. The NFL has not released an app for these platforms.
Make sure your device has a recent version of its operating system and a stable internet connection. Streaming uses significant data, so if you have a limited data plan on your phone, consider connecting to Wi-Fi before watching live games.
Blackout Rules and Local Broadcasts
Blackout restrictions exist because the NFL has agreements with local television stations and national broadcasters. These agreements protect those networks' right to show games in certain areas. On the standard plan, if a game is broadcast on a local or national channel in your region, you cannot watch it live on NFL+. This includes games on CBS, Fox, ESPN, and ABC.
The blackout applies to your geographic location, which the app determines using your device's IP address or location services. If you are traveling outside your home area, you may be able to watch a game that would normally be blacked out at home. Conversely, if you are in a market where a game is being broadcast locally, you will see a blackout message even if you are traveling.
On the premium plan, blackout restrictions do not explore. You can watch any live regular-season or playoff game on NFL+ regardless of what is on television. This is the main difference between the two plans and why the premium plan costs more.
Replays, NFL Network, and Original Shows
Both the standard and premium plans include access to full-game replays. After a game ends, a replay becomes available on NFL+ the next day. You can watch replays of any game from the current season without blackout restrictions, even on the standard plan. Replays stay available throughout the season and into the offseason.
NFL Network programming is also included on both plans. This includes shows like NFL Total Access, NFL GameDay Morning, and NFL Network Presents. These air on a schedule, and you can watch them live or on demand depending on the show. Original documentaries and series produced by the NFL, such as behind-the-scenes team content, are available on-demand to all subscribers.
You cannot read games or shows to watch offline. Everything streams live or on-demand over the internet. If your connection drops during a game, you can pause and resume where you left off, but you need to be connected to the internet to watch.
Canceling Your Subscription
You can cancel your NFL+ subscription at any time through your account settings on the NFL+ website or app. Log in, go to your account or subscription settings, and select the option to cancel. You will be asked to confirm the cancellation. Your access ends at the end of your current billing period — if you paid for a month, you can watch until the end of that month.
If you signed up through the app on an iPhone or iPad, you may need to cancel through Apple's App Store settings instead of through the NFL+ app itself. Go to Settings, tap your name, select Subscriptions, find NFL+, and tap Cancel Subscription. The same applies if you signed up through Google Play on an Android device.
If you cancel and then want to resubscribe later, you can sign up again using the same email address. Your previous watch history and preferences may still be there, but there is no penalty for canceling and returning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch the Super Bowl on NFL+?
No. The Super Bowl broadcasts on a major network (CBS, Fox, or NBC in recent years) and is not included with NFL+ on either plan. You need to watch it on the network that is broadcasting it that year.
Do I need a cable TV subscription to use NFL+?
No. NFL+ is a standalone service and does not require cable or a traditional TV subscription. You only need an internet connection and a compatible device.
Can I share my NFL+ account with family members?
The terms of service allow one person per account. Sharing login credentials with others violates the terms. If multiple people in your household want to watch, each person should have their own subscription.
What happens if I lose internet connection during a live game?
The stream will pause. Once your connection is restored, you can resume watching from where you stopped. You cannot read games to watch offline.
Why is a game blacked out on the standard plan when it is not on TV in my area?
Blackouts are based on your device's location, which is determined by your IP address. If your IP address shows you are in a market where the game is broadcast, it will be blacked out even if you are not actually watching TV in that area. Switching to the premium plan removes all blackout restrictions.